Lifestyle Change:Stop Bad Habits

Successful life changes take action, but action isn't enough. To quit smoking, lose weight, or make other important lifestyle changes you'll need to stop bad habits by finding good alternatives. Weight loss plans such as the latest fad diets often fail because of lack of preparation and commitment, says James Prochaska in Changing for Good.

Lifestyle Change

Life changes, whether to stop smoking, lose weight, or make some other significant change to lifestyle, can be extremely difficult because the bad habits have been reinforced over lengthy periods, often many years. Prochaska's Changing for Good, describes the importance of making a commitment before taking action.

Weight Loss and Quit Smoking Plan Failures

Weight loss programs featuring fad diets and promising quick weight loss often fail because people have not sufficiently committed themselves. Quit smoking programs with low success rates suffer from the same lack of commitment problem.

If you've properly planned for this stage of life change, your commitment to the new you should be very strong. You can visualize how you'll look, how you'll feel, and the new respect you'll earn from yourself and others. But commitment, important as it is, will not be enough to assure your long term success. Your initial commitment to self discipline will need some help.

Alternatives to Bad Habits

Successful lifestyle change involves finding healthy alternatives to the bad habits of your old behavior. Finding the alternatives that will support you in your weight loss and stop smoking efforts will involve trial and error.

Research shows there is no single, can't-fail alternative to the bad habit you're combating. Some possible options might be:

• An alternate activity: call a friend, take a walk, or do something that you regularly enjoy.
• Exercise: this is the single best alternative, providing mental and physical distraction and consuming calories!
• Relax: deep breathing and meditation will reduce the stress that has tempted you to eat, drink, or smoke.
• Think another thought: if you think about that apple pie you'll surely desire it, so substitute thoughts of the slimmer you and your self pride.

Temptations of Bad Habits

Don't be tempted to test yourself. Avoid the situations most likely to include the behavior you're changing. If your commitment is to lose weight, avoid all-you-can-eat restaurants. It's not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength to avoid situations likely to tempt and tease you into a slip.

Reward a Lifestyle Change

Reward yourself for even the small successes. Have a pre-planned self-reward system in place to reinforce your new behaviors. If your weight-loss plan includes continuing to have desserts with the family, but limiting yourself to two small bites, give yourself a silent pat on the back each time you succeed. Eventually, this new behavior will be routine, but in the early stages it should be reinforced.

Changing for Good

James Prochaska's Changing for Good outlines s ixstages for successful lifestyle change. With commitment in hand, and these tips for taking successful action to lose weight, quite smoking, or stop other bad habits, you're well on your way to a new you.

Summary article for making successful life changes.

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